This course introduces students to the sources of law which define general principles of criminal responsibility, and a selection of criminal offences (assault, sexual assault, murder, manslaughter, property offences), criminal defences (provocation and self-defence) and criminal procedure.  Students will be exposed to both common law sources as well as legislation and criminal codes where relevant.  Basic legal theories of the criminal law will also be introduced.  The lecture program will be supported by problem-solving tutorials aimed at enabling students to give legal advice as to criminal liability and the resolution of procedural problems.

• A sound knowledge and critical understanding of the relevant legislation and case law
• An ability to apply this knowledge and understanding in such a way as to identify the legal issues presented by a factual problem
• A familiarity with the important debates about the purpose of the criminal law and the fundamental concepts it embodies

A mid-semester problem-based assignment and an exam at the end of the course.

There will be 3 hours of class time per week supplemented by a 1 hour tutorial in the last 10 weeks of the course.  A further 6 or so hours of private study is expected per week in order to review required reading and to prepare for tutorials.

None.

S Bronitt and B McSherry, Principles of Criminal Law (2nd edition, LawBookCo, 2005).

None.  Consult course outline for Week 1 reading.